Hassan Asif just wants to be with his family in his last days. Picture: Mike Keating

Hassan Asif, 25, is living in a homeless shelter and only has weeks to live and all he wanted was to see his mother and brother one last time.

His family were fighting to travel to Australia but the Immigration Department rejected visitor visa applications and the Australian High Commission in Islamabad said they were not satisfied the family members would return to Pakistan.

But Sky News today reported Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said the visa applications were now approved.

“I have just received advice that the visa has been issued to the mother and the brother,” he said.

Earlier today, Mr Dutton defended the initial decision, saying the decision maker did the right thing.

Mr Asif, who is cared for by the Melbourne City Mission, was diagnosed with advanced skin cancer or metastatic melanoma in April, after travelling to Australia to study architecture last year.

After he was diagnosed, Mr Asif wanted to go back to Pakistan to be with his family, but his illness was so far advanced he was unable to fly on commercial airlines.

Flying privately wasn’t an option either as it was too expensive.

“He was absolutely devastated when he found out his mother and brother could not come and see him,” Melbourne City Mission’s homelessness and justice services director, Sherri Bruinhout, said.

“His last wish is to have somebody hold his hand at the very end.”

Mr Dutton asked Australian officials in Islamabad to look into the issue, and the decision maker had to weigh up whether or not somebody coming to Australia is likely to make a claim for protection or stay as a cost to the taxpayer.

The Labor Party had also called on Mr Dutton to overturn the decision, with Opposition immigration spokesman Richard Marles describing it as “disgraceful and heartless”.

Hassan Asif holds a picture of his mother and brother, who are not allowed to come and see him in his last days. Picture: Mike KeatingSource:News Corp Australia

Ms Bruinhout was shocked by the initial decision not to let Mr Asif’s family into Australia, and believed the dying man had a compelling argument to receive a compassionate response from the Immigration Department.

“His family isn’t looking to stay in Australia,” she said.

“The rest of their extended and immediate family is in Pakistan and they have businesses and homes.

“Their motivation to come here isn’t to stay, it’s to hold their son and brother’s hand.”

Ms Bruinhout said Mr Asif’s mother was heartbroken and filled with grief — she hasn’t seen her son since 2014.

His brother can’t comprehend why he can’t be by Mr Asif’s bedside.

“Since he was diagnosed it’s gone downhill very quickly,” Ms Bruinhout said.

“He’s alone in a foreign country and he just wants him mum."

The homeless shelter looks after Mr Asif because he couldn’t work to afford rent.

“Nobody should have to die alone in a homeless shelter when they have family who love them and want to be with them,” Ms Bruinhout said.

“He is such a lovely young man, everybody is connected to him and it’s heartbreaking for everybody.”

Mr Asif lives his life modestly, and has always been appreciative of the simple things.

He has written a bucket list and all he wants to do is go to the movies and watch a Twenty20 cricket match.

“He doesn’t want to sky dive or do anything over the top, he wants to live the rest of his life happily,” Ms Bruinhout said.

“He is not a person who wants to exploit the government, his life goals are modest.”

While Mr Asif is visited by members of a Melbourne church and people from the Pakistani community, he still feels isolated from his family.

“They are my family, I want them to be with me in those last days,” he told the Herald Sun.

“I’m missing my mum very much, I just want her here, she is crying all the time.

“I’m OK with dying, it’s just the pain and everything, it’s getting so hard.

“Everything is getting worse, my right eye is shut totally now.”

It is hoped Immigration and Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton will appeal the decision not to let Hassan Asif’s family in the country.Source:News Corp Australia

Ms Bruinhout said they were going to appeal to decision and call on Mr Dutton.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection initially offered its sympathy to the Asif family.

“The compassionate nature of the proposed visit by his mother and brother was considered, however, anyone wishing to visit Australia must satisfy Australia’s visitor visa requirements, including health, character and genuine temporary stay requirements,” a spokesman said.

“When deciding if an applicant intends a genuine temporary stay in Australia, the decision maker must take into account relevant considerations such as the applicant’s personal circumstances, incentive to return home, financial situation and ability to support themselves while in Australia.

“The likelihood of an applicant overstaying or seeking to remain permanently in Australia is also a matter that must be assessed.”

The spokesman said the decision maker must be satisfied that the applicant will not overstay or refuse to return to their country of origin.

“In this case, all of the facts have been taken into consideration and the decision maker has not issued the visa,” the spokesman said.

Ms Bruinhout said Mr Asif has gone from having all the plans in the world to having his whole life changed.